More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
Bonnie Fuller

Bonnie Fuller

Posted: February 28, 2011 06:43 PM

Where were Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Angelina, Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart when we needed them most?

The Oscars almost destroyed their own revered awards show by handing over the hosting duties to a pair of bumbling amateurs -- James Franco and Anne Hathaway. What were they thinking?

The Oscars is supposed to be the most aspirational event on Planet Earth -- worthy of only the MOST seasoned, professional and just plain beautiful celebrities to lead the charge.

James Franco, you're no Jimmy Stewart, no Bob Hope, Gregory Peck, George Clooney or even Alec Baldwin.

Anne Hathaway, you're no Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Katherine Hepburn, Meryl Streep or Annette Bening.

Let me tell you, Oscar organizers. Even "young people" aspire to old-time Hollywood Glamour with a capital G.

But it wasn't just the professionalism that wasn't on the podium -- there wasn't enough big A-List power on the red carpet, or in the front row.

Find out how the Academy can get its mojo back.

 

Follow Bonnie Fuller on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bonniefuller

 
 
  • Comments
  • 30
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Bloggers
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2  Next ›  Last »  (2 total)
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
10:04 PM on 03/03/2011
You are right, Bonnie! I agree that the Jen Anniston-facing-the-Pitt-Jolies was a breathless moment.
And these are my top 3 ways to improve the Oscars:
3. Hosts - Justin Timberlake + a woman with a real personality (not a magazine cut-out);
2. Innovation - the Oscar set was the best thing on stage, and people want to be dazzled, so they should produce videos just for the show;
1. Better movies - the BBC mini-series (that's what The King's Speech really was) and the HBO mini-series (Social Network) are not real movies, like Lawrence of Arabia. Hollywood needs to take some more risks, or the indie filmmakers will change the game.
Beyond Beautiful Babe
photo
doe58
Politicians-country first-be leaders not hacks
10:40 AM on 03/02/2011
Tom Cruise is an aging pretty boy sucked in by Scientology. More popular overseas than in the US. The Globes nominate AJ & BP with the hope that they will just show up. You jest surely re the Twilight actors! The Oscars need a seasoned "stand-up" comic with his/her own writers; cut out the awkward chit chat and present awards. Whoever puts the show together seems to have a very hard time learning from their past mistakes! IT IS THE OSCARS!
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
08:09 AM on 03/02/2011
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Angelina? Not necessary.

Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart? Seriously? "Good, old star power" -- at the Oscars? Not even worthy of the SAG's.
10:29 PM on 03/01/2011
I cabn't believe it. I'm actually (somewhat) agreeing with Bonnie Fuller. This has to be a first.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
CubanVoice
Hope common sense goes viral.
08:41 PM on 03/01/2011
I agree! Except Im not going to jump wholeheartedly into the hating Anne and James - they werent good but the writing was worse!

BUT, we want huge stars! We want some good old,fashioned Holywood scandals too!!
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Seaglass
04:34 PM on 03/01/2011
Well, how about b*tchy with an extra scoop of b*tch? Jeez, tell us how you really feel.

I thought this was one of the fresher Oscar broadcasts in a good long while...and the opening was hilarious. So it wasn't perfect. At least it wasn't insufferably stodgy.
03:15 PM on 03/01/2011
What a mean-spirited post. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson superstars? They were in a couple of bad teen vampire movies. Anne Hathaway was delightful. James Franco, kind of dull, but at least the show came in under 4 hours...
photo
LMPE
I connect the most dissimilar things
02:54 PM on 03/01/2011
Does it always have to be top stars?
11:57 AM on 03/01/2011
Rob Pattison and Kristen Stewart? If you thought James Franco was dead behind the eyes and lacking in social skills then you ain't seen nothing if Kristen Stewart had hosted. Paleese!

Brad and Angie do not go to any long award show unless they are nominated or a dear close friend is and they are presenting. And the last one happens very very rarely.

Tom Cruise is whoreish enough to show up and present without a actual reason to be there otherwise. But his ex was nominated and since he had her branded an SP it would cause ill effects for him to exposed to her.. extra clearing session would be needed and he is still filming MI:"desperate to still be relevant" and doesn't have time for extra e-meter sessions.
10:29 AM on 03/02/2011
Right on, brother or sister!
GraceNotes
We live for books.
10:45 AM on 03/01/2011
Even the producers knew they had to do something, so they had Billy Crystal come out and remind us all what it means to be an entertainer.
04:27 AM on 03/01/2011
You're not seriously suggesting Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Angelina, Rob Pattinson or Kristen Stewart for host duties, are you????

Yes, James Franco was godawful as a host, but none of the above would be an improvement.

I say bring on Tina Fey & Amy Poehler next year!
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
10:08 PM on 03/03/2011
Great idea -- Tina Fey & Amy Poehler as hosts...but will anyone take the job after the disaster of this year?
03:02 AM on 03/01/2011
They are very famous but to me anyway, Brad and Angelina are bigger tabloid stars than movie stars. Nothing against Tom Cruise, however seeing him on stage would not be as thrilling as it was seeing the likes of Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, Audrey Hepburn etc. I'm afraid I don't know who Rob Pattinson or Kristen Stewart are. There just aren't that many left that have that Good Old Star Power for me.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
guitarguy22
02:52 AM on 03/01/2011
The last thing we need are Twilight stars. And while I agree they weren't the greatest hosts, it's unfair of you to say they don't match up to the stars of yesteryear. Most of those people have become legends as the years go on, and have become more revered the longer they have been gone. Of course Franco and Hathaway are not Bob Hope and Grace Kelly...they haven't been making films or performing that long yet. You're holding them up to an unfairly high bar.
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Tallulah Morehead
Award-Eligible Film Legend
01:33 AM on 03/01/2011
"Where were Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Angelina, Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart when we needed them most?"

While I agree that there was indeed a pointed lack of much-needed star power, we do "need," never have needed, and never will need Robert Pattinson nor Kristen Stewart." Frankly, Hathaway and Franco are both far more worthy of being in the show (but NOT hosting!) than boring Kristen Stewart, and block of untalented wood Pattinson. Yes we need stars with old school star cachet. That does not, and never will, describe Stewart or Pattison.

And while Tom Cruise is unquestionably a huge Hollywood star, his absence is always appreciated by me.

Where was Jack Nicholson"? Now HE is old-fashioned star power. And let Eli Wallach speak, for Heaven's sake. Last year they "honored" Roger Corman and Lauren Becall in the same insulting fashion. Couldn't let them speak. They had to make more room for Mylie Cyrus.
03:04 AM on 03/01/2011
I completely agree with everything you said. Stewart and Pattinson can stay FAR away from the Oscars.
08:01 AM on 03/01/2011
Exactly...and as for being A List...just when was the last time Cruise was written about that didn't contain the phrase, crazy, Scientology, or Couch?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
leorangerie
01:32 AM on 03/01/2011
HELLO?! Thanks for nailing it. Indeed, where were the stars when most needed? At the VF party drinking Cristal, thanking karma for not being part of this year's trainwreck. Worst show in Oscar history.